In 2007, Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop accused Deputy Opposition Leader Julia Gillard of behaving like a “fashion model or TV star” rather than a politician.
“You’re not a celebrity, you’re an elected representative, you’re a member of parliament. You’re not Hollywood and I think that when people overstep that line they miss the whole point of that public role.”
Ms Bishop said posing for magazine covers was “not my style”.
“Of course, people want to know more about you, but I don’t think you should be courting that celebrity status as if you’re a fashion model or a TV star, because you’re not,” she said.
Move along a few years to when Julie is “living the dream”, as she put it in an interview with Who magazine in December 2014.
“I can’t imagine a better job than the one I have,” she said as she posed for the magazine featuring an article where she “talks fashion, running, and style”, having also done a cover shoot for Harper’s Bazaar the previous month. In 2015, it was Vogue.
It seems Ms Bishop now considers herself very much a celebrity.
“Ms Bishop and her partner David Panton mingled with celebrities and business figures in exclusive marquees on Derby Day and Melbourne Cup Day as guests of an airline company and an alcohol company.”
A statement from her office said “The Minister was invited and attended in her official capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party.”
Trade Minister Steve Ciobo has argued the case for politicians to attend sporting events on the taxpayer dime.
“I can certainly say as an Australian, I would love to see Australia’s prime minister — I don’t care whether it’s Liberal or Labor — at a key game … between the Wallabies and All Blacks.”
Mr Ciobo seems to have forgotten the deafening booing received by Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the 2014 NRL Grand Final.
Ciobo also defended using his taxpayer-funded car to attend local sport events in his Queensland electorate of Moncrieff, saying: “I think people expect that“.
Would it be too much to ask that you drive yourself to the local footy match?
Defending charging taxpayers for going to the AFL Grand Final, the Trade Minister said, “Ministers or parliamentary secretaries or others are invited to go along to these events specifically by businesses and organisations who are taking the opportunity to showcase themselves there, to take the time to have a conversation in relation to important matters.”
I am not sure how the National Bank “showcases” itself at a football Grand Final and, if there are important matters to be discussed, there are far better places to do it than in the midst of 100,000 screaming football fans.
I beg to differ Mr Ciobo. You are not celebrities and having a beer with someone does not constitute work. If you want to take your family to an event, pay for it yourself. If you want a family holiday, pay for it yourself.
Get over yourselves.
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